29/01/2013

Ceres FC Barges into Finals of 2nd PFF-Smart National Club Championship

What do you do when 3
giants are standing in your way? Get in a bus and just drive through them to
get where you're going. That's what Negros based Ceres FC basically did on its
way to the finals of the 2nd PFF-Smart Men'sNational
Club Championship where
they will face UFL Division 1 club Pasargad FC or PSG.

The 3 giants Ceres needed to get through to earn a
finals slot are among the 3 top UFL Division 1 Clubs: current UFL Cup champions
Stallion FC, current UFL champions Global FC and powerhouse Kaya FC. A feat
that caused the Ceres FC squad's achievements to be dubbed as a
"Cinderella" run to the finals. One reason perhaps this glorious run
to the finals of the club is being described as such is the fact that Ceres FC
is not a club that competes in either Divisions of the Metro Manila based
United Football League, now considered the country's premiere football league.
But is it really?

True, beating the top 3 UFL clubs enroute to the
finals is no mean and easy feat. Then again, let's consider a few facts. Ceres
FC is based inNegros
Occidental, a hotbed of football in this country. Before the advent of
the 2010 Azkals and the renaissance of football in the Philippines, Negros and
Iloilo have kept faith all these years. The rivalry of these 2 provinces will
attest to the fact on how seriously the sport is considered. One only has to
look at how many accomplished football players come from these 2 provinces. It
shouldn't be surprising then that a team from Negros should be able to field a
strong and competitive squad.

One only needs to look at Stallions FC, considered
to be the "Iloilo" team given the roots of the club. Its maiden run
in UFL Division 1 showed it was a force to be reckoned with. A strong
showing in the regular UFL season was followed up by winning the UFL Cup.

Ceres FC is no different. They may not be
competing in the UFL, but they are based in a province where there is an
environment that provides competitive football and a deep talent pool to
recruit from. More than that, Ceres FC is run in much similar ways as the top
clubs in the country today. It isn't just a team put together for the purpose
of this tournament; it is a club with a vision,infrastructure and adequate management support.

Photo via watchmendaily.com

Credit for that goes to the Yanson brothers, Leo
Rey and Ricky. Both former players and passionate fans of the sport of
football. Like Dan Palami, they have tapped their personal fortune in the
transport business (hence the bus metaphor in the opening paragraph) to grow
and develop the sport of football in Negros. They are the driving force behind
NFL, the Negros Football League and they even went as far as having football
fields constructed. Players and coaching staff for the club and their NFL teams
are well taken care of and supported. Lest it be forgotten, the U-23 squad of
Ceres FC is also the defending champion of the PFF-Suzuki U-23 National Club
Championship.

Considering all those factors, I don't think Ceres
FC's giant-killing run to the finals is all that surprising. They have shown
without doubt that they have what it takes to play with the big boys. They are
a force to be reckoned with and they just made an emphatic statement to that
effect, not only for the club but for Negros football.

It still remains to be seen if Ceres FC will join the
UFL. As seen in the results of this tournament so far, they will be a good
addition to the league. They have a talented and quite young squad, with a very
capable coaching staff. More than that, it will give us Negrenses a team to
root for in the UFL. Something the marketing people of UFL should consider. Of
course, it will all depend on the Yanson brothers. In the same way they built
up their club, I'm sure they will be taking deliberate and measured steps when
considering this option. One thing for sure, when the time comes that Ceres FC
does indeed join the UFL, they will be ready and raring to succeed.

EzineArticles

Hubpages

Yahoo Contributor

Privacy Policy

Total Pageviews

About Me

Recently resigned civil servant from the Philippine Foreign Service. Specializes in Protocol and served 3 Philippine Presidents. Assigned with her diplomat husband and son to Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles and Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. for 6 and a half years.
I live .. I ignore warning labels. I revel in the pressure, the adrenaline.. that feeling of being on the edge and the fast pace that characterizes life.. welcome to my world!